PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
MACCABI LONDON LIONS A 5 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A 4 (AFTER EXTRA-TIME)
A Josh Kennet master-class guided Maccabi London Lions into the final of the Jewish FA Cup following a nine-goal thriller against MGBSFL leaders North London Raiders A at Rowley Lane.
Fielding seven members of their Herts Senior County League Premier Division team, the Lions were determined to end NLR's treble hopes but it was the defending Maccabi League champions who got off to a flyer when midfielder Jonny Kay smashed home a superb volley after just five minutes.
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NLR's joy was short-lived, however, in a topsy-turvy affair as the majestic Kennet latched on to a clever ball over the NLR defence to deftly chip a shot over the onrushing Jake Doffman three minutes later.
The Lions stepped up a gear and Guy Morris came close from a pinpoint Kennet corner. The experienced defender's glancing header was cleared off the line.
But there was no stopping the Lions from their next attack as Raiders failed to deal with a cross that was lashed home by Kennet midway through the half to make it 2-1 to Lions.
With the bit between their teeth, Lions pressed home their advantage, with the hard-working Max Kyte on hand to curl in the third, via the inside of the post, with NLR appealing in vain for offside.
At this stage, Adam Burchell, Austin Lipman, Kennet and Kyte were pulling the NLR back-line in all directions, though they lost a little impetus towards the end of the half when the twinkle-toed Burchell was forced off injured after a collision with Josh Pistol.
Kyte who had the final chance of the half, but he headed wide in front of a gaping goal as the half-time whistle sounded with Lions 3-1 ahead.
The Lions carried on where they left off at the start of the second half, with a shot from the edge of the area from Andy Glynne catching a wicked deflection to leave Doffman stranded.
At 4-1 down there looked no way back for Raiders. But they were given a lifeline on 55 minutes when the impressive Jordan Marks beat Reuben Rabstein with an angled shot. But at this stage there was no sign of the drama to come.
Raiders continued to battle, with captain David Rhodes forced into several last-ditch clearances, while substitute Charlie Rubin missed two good opportunities.
The visitors, who had not lost a game in Jewish football this season, continued to press and Matt Stock, another Lions old boy, capitalised on a great cross from the left to slot home at the far post to make it 4-3. It was game on.
Lions looked shell-shocked, but it was NLR who at this stage were showing the bigger hearts, and Mannie was rewarded for putting in a big shift by capitalising on a rare error from Rabstein to fire home and take the tie into extra-time.
But it was the Lions who booked a place in their second cup final of the season thanks to another moment of magic from man-of-the-match Kennet. Picking up the ball on the half-way line, he showed great pace and power to drive at the NLR defence before unleashing a venomous finish with the outside of his foot that nestled into the bottom corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any game and sets up a final showdown against Hendon United Sports Club at Wingate & Finchley on May 8.
As referee Andy Myerson blew the final whistle, Lions boss Andy Landesberg breathed a huge sigh of relief and the NLR players and fans went home dreaming of what might have been, knowing they had given their all. But there were many positives for managers Rob Richman and Jonathan Green to take away from the game as they look to finish the season with back-to-back doubles.
LIONS: Reuben Rabstein, Adam Lipman, Guy Morris, Zac Rose, Jake Rinsler, Andy Glynne, Charlie Kasler, Adam Burchell, Josh Kennet, Austin Lipman, Max Kyte. Subs: Harry Hatchwell, Louie Greeham, Charlie Rubin, Nathan Schindler, Adam Klein
RAIDERS: Jake Doffman, Josh Pistol, Justin Spiro, David Rhodes (capt), Alex Bloch, Jonny Kay, Ricky Engleman, Ben Joseph, Matt Stock, Liron Mannie, Jordan Marks. Subs: Alex Lee, David Dinkin, Josh Green
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